You might think of St Paul’s Cathedral as a solemn structure but spend a bit of time wandering its gleaming marble aisles and it starts to feel even greater than a place of worship and more like a Baroque-era Pinterest board. From checkerboard floors to towering coffered ceilings, it’s basically a masterclass in maximalism, all courtesy of Sir Christopher Wren, Britain’s ultimate overachiever in the architecture department.
We went along to soak up the sights and take some very dramatic stair selfies, and came away with more than just spiritual enlightenment; we came back full of home improvement ideas. Who knew?
Get to know the man behind the marble
Sir Christopher Wren wasn’t just an architect. He was also a mathematician, astronomer and all-round Renaissance brainbox. After the Great Fire of London in 1666 turned the old St Paul’s to ash, Wren was commissioned to design its replacement and he delivered, big time.
He was inspired by classical architecture, particularly what he’d seen on trips to Paris and Rome. So, while St Paul’s is firmly rooted in British tradition, you’ll spot Italian and French influences throughout. Basically, it’s the 18th-century equivalent of a designer mixing vintage finds with high-end Scandi pieces, and it really works.
Time for a ceiling makeover?
Statement dome
The dome of St Paul’s is the design icon. It's dramatic, it's symmetrical and it’s visible from all over London. Wren designed it with layers: there's the outer dome, a hidden brick cone for support, and the inner dome you see from inside. Triple the dome, triple the drama.
Style steal: okay, maybe you can’t fit a three-tiered dome in your flat, but a bold ceiling colour or dramatic pendant light could capture the same sense of grandeur. And don’t forget symmetry, Wren was all about balance.
Marble floors that would break Instagram
The cathedral’s monochrome checkerboard flooring is an instant attention-grabber. It's simple, graphic and striking, basically everything you want in a TikTok-worthy hallway.
Style steal: black and white floor tiles never go out of style. Use them in a bathroom, hallway or even a tiny kitchen for instant Parisian café vibes with a Wren-approved twist.
Peep that chequerboard flooring.
Coffered ceilings: the ‘ceiling rose’ of the gods
Take a moment to look up. The intricate coffered ceiling panels in the nave are seriously impressive, layered squares with rosettes and gilded detail that give texture and depth.
Style steal: you can fake the look with ceiling tiles, wooden panelling or even wallpaper that mimics a coffered design. Gold accents are optional (but always encouraged).
Baroque with a side of minimalism?
While St Paul’s has all the grand Baroque flair you'd expect - columns, carvings, domes, the works -, it also has moments of surprising restraint. There’s a clean, classical symmetry to everything and plenty of calm, cooling stone.
Style steal: if you want to channel Wren without going full Versailles, stick to pale walls, symmetrical furniture layouts and accents of natural stone. Then add a wild card, like a brass candelabra or dramatic arch, for drama, obviously.
Arches, natural light, pale stone? Yes please!
Staircases with main character energy
The geometric staircase in the South West Tower is one of the most beautiful things in the whole building. Suspended without visible support and spiralling in soft stone curves, it looks like something Escher would doodle on a very chill day.
Style steal: floating stairs? Yes please. Or just embrace elegant curves wherever you can - , mirrors, furniture, window arches or all of the above!
Fancy a Wrenovation of your own?
We’re not saying you should turn your house into a cathedral (though if you do, please invite us round), but a few well-placed Wren-style touches can make your space feel timeless, dramatic and totally unique. Think: bold symmetry, rich materials and details that make you stop and look twice.
One of Wren’s most striking design choices wasn’t just about grandeur, it was about light. He knew that vast, imposing architecture could feel cold or intimidating without the right balance, so he used natural light and clever spatial planning to soften things. The result? A building that feels both awe-inspiring and peaceful.
Style steal: don’t underestimate the power of a well-placed window or mirror. If you’re working with a darker space, bounce light around with reflective surfaces, tall curtains or even arched window frames to get that soft, heavenly glow without rewiring your roof.
Let the light in!
Wren also played with volume and proportion, designing soaring ceilings and wide-open naves, but anchoring them with elegant columns and rhythmic detailing so the space never feels overwhelming. It’s grandeur with a human touch.
Style steal: in your own home, create balance by pairing high ceilings or open-plan spaces with warm, tactile materials (think wood, soft textiles) or breaking up big walls with panelling or architectural elements like archways and alcoves. It’s less 'echoing hall of kings’, more 'elegant Georgian townhouse’.
And above all, keep things calm. Wren’s interiors are ordered, symmetrical and purposefully uncluttered, even when they’re packed with detail. That sense of harmony comes from restraint and rhythm.
Style steal: channel your inner Wren with a symmetrical furniture layout, muted colour palettes and repeating design elements, like matching lamps or fluted details, that give your space a cohesive feel.
In short? A Wrenovation doesn’t have to mean columns in your kitchen or gold leaf on your ceiling, although why not? It can just mean bringing a bit of balance, beauty and brilliance into your space.
Gold leaf? Don't mind if I do!
Let’s be real
Sir Christopher Wren probably didn’t design St Paul’s as a home makeover template. But we’re still going to steal a few of his best ideas. After all, if it’s good enough for the London skyline, it’s good enough for our living rooms.
Even if you’re more flat-pack than fresco, it’s worth a wander around St Paul’s with a designer’s eye. You never know what might spark your next big moodboard moment.
Enjoyed this?
Find out what and who is hidden in the crypt at St Pauls or get ready to visit with our complete guide to St Paul’s Cathedral.
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